The 25-year-old has been with the team and has been seen wearing a walking boot and brace. Prior to Monday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets, Hardaway was seen doing some light shooting with the brace on.

Regardless, there was a fear that Hardaway's stress injury could have been a fracture, which would have sidelined him much longer than the expected timetable of his return.

It would have been a nightmare scenario for the guard who signed a four-year, $71 million deal to rejoin the Knicks after two seasons away with the Atlanta Hawks. New York drafted Hardaway 24th overall in 2013 out of Michigan.

While his contract was a head-scratcher to many considering he has never been able to carry an offense, Hardaway Jr. has been the Robin to Kristaps Porzingis' Batman within the Knicks offense.

In 21 games, he was averaging 17.8 points and 3.3 assists per night, both of which rank second on the team.

Without Hardaway Jr. over the past nine games, the Knicks are 5-4, including an 18-point beatdown at the hands of the Hornets on Monday night.